Category Archives: Lemon Alert

Volvo Seat Belt Safety Affected By Defect

Posted on by

Volvo will be contacting owners of certain 2007-2020 S, V and X model automobiles because of a problem affecting the front seat safety belts. It is estimated that over 307,000 vehicles are affected by this recall.

According to the defect report, the steel cable mounted on the outboard side of the seats to the front seat belts can suffer fatigue from being repeatedly bent as occupants enter and leave the vehicle. Over time, the strength of the cable could deteriorate to a point where it cannot restrain an occupant during a crash.

Vehicles Affected
2011-2018 S60
2016-2018 S60CC
2014-2020 S60L
2007-2016 S80
2009-2015 S80L
2011-2018 V60
2015-2018 V60CC
2008-2016 V70
2009-2016 XC60
2008-2016 XC70

Owners receiving notices will be asked to return to their dealership to have the seat belt anchor cable for both front seats replaced. Volvo’s number for this recall is R10029 and the NHTSA campaign number is 20V-378. This recall is expected to begin in August.

Brake Parts Failure Affecting Volkswagen Beetle And Jetta

Posted on by

Brake Parts Inc. is recalling certain brake master cylinders sold under the Raybestos, NAPA and AC Delco brands as aftermarket replacement parts for 2012-2017 Volkswagen Beetle, 2005-2018 Volkswagen Jetta and 2007-2010 Volkswagen Jetta GLI vehicles. (Part numbers MC391232, M4840, and 18M2578)

Sample testing and warranty data show that the crimping of the aluminum housing on the master cylinder may be insufficient. The piston could pop out of the master cylinder housing and drivers could experience a complete loss of braking or unintended braking.

Because the defect would exhibit itself shortly after installation, Brake Parts have instructed their distributors to cover products that have been in service less than one year. The manufacturer is still developing a fix for this recall which is expected to begin August 10, 2020. The NHTSA campaign number is 20E-042.

Expedition & Navigator Called Back For Improperly Welded Headrests

Posted on by

Concerns related to improperly welded second row headrest attachment brackets will have some 2020 Ford Expedition and 2020 Lincoln Navigator vehicles recalled for repairs. Dealers are required to inspect and repair the problem before demonstrating or delivering any new stock.

According to the defect report, an in plant inspection found that the headrest to seat back frame attachment bracket was out of position during assembly and some welds did not properly penetrate the headrest bracket. As a result, the strength of the headrests are weakened and they do not meet the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards for head restraints. An improperly welded headrest bracket may not adequately restrain an occupant during a crash.

Those receiving notices will be asked to return to their dealership to have the seat structure inspected and replaced as needed. Ford’s number for this recall is 20C12 and the NHTSA campaign number is 20V-366.

BMW & Toyota Tie Rod Fracture

Posted on by

A safety defect affecting certain 2019-2020 BMW and 2020 Toyota Supra vehicles will have owners returning to their dealerships for repairs. The population affected are equipped with steering gear tie rods from an earlier design configuration. Vehicles manufactured after February 2020 are manufactured with tie rods of a different design.

According to the defect report, driving conditions consisting of high temperatures and excessive vibration could increase the load in the area of the tie rod kink groove. Over time, this damage could cause the rod to fracture in this area. If this happens vehicle handling and control will be affected and the risk of a crash will be increased.

Vehicles Affected
2019-2020 BMW 330I
2019-2020 BMW M340I
2020 BMW X3
2020 BMW X4
2019 BMW Z4
Also Affected
2020 Toyota Supra

BMW and Toyota will notify owners to return to their dealerships to have the steering gear tie rods replaced. The NHTSA campaign number for this recall is 20V-335.

Jeep Cherokee Transmission Wear

Posted on by

Chrysler will be asking owners of certain 2014-2017 Jeep Cherokee SUVs to return to their dealership to repair a problem affecting the two speed power transfer unit (PTU) in their vehicles. The suspect period began in April 2014 when more robust differential input splines were used to manufacture PTUs.

According to the defect report, movement between the differential input splines and the transmission output shaft may result in the input spline teeth wearing. Eventually this will cause a loss of engagement between the transmission and the differential, and torque will not be transferred to the wheels. The vehicle will loose motive power and there will be no “Park” function while the vehicle is stationary.

Dealers will perform a software update that will maintain vehicle propulsion by engaging rear wheel drive and prevent rolling in “Park” by activating the electronic parking brake if a failed input spline occurs. FCA’s number for this recall is W47 and the NHTSA campaign number is 20V-343.

2017-2020 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid Safety Warning

Posted on by

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) have discovered that a safety defect exists in certain 2017-2020 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid vehicles. Chrysler advises owners to take additional safety measures until the problem can be fixed by their dealership.

“Note: Consumers are advised to exercise the following precautions until the vehicle has the final repair completed: Do not park inside of buildings, near structures or other vehicles. Additionally, keep liquids out of the backseat area, including but not limited to beverages, wet items, umbrellas, or bottled liquids that may leak.”

According to the defect report, some 2017-2020 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid vehicles may experience a high resistance electrical connection at the 12 volt isolator post. This high resistance could lead to prolonged heating and a potential vehicle fire even with the vehicle shut off.

A remedy for this recall is currently under development. In the meantime, notices will be sent out to owners instructing them to return to their dealers to have an interim inspection of this connection. If the inspection indicates the joint is compromised, owners will receive a loaner vehicle until a fix is developed.

Interim notifications are expected to begin around June 22, 2020. FCA US LLC’s number for this recall is W46 and the NHTSA campaign number is 20V-334.

2020 Ford Mustang Collision Avoidance Problem

Posted on by

Ford will be contacting a small number of 2020 Mustang owners because of a problem affecting the collision avoidance system in their cars. These vehicles are equipped with a forward looking camera that may not function as intended.

According to the defect report, the affected vehicles have an image processing module, or a forward looking camera that was misaligned during assembly. This incorrect calibration may cause features such as pre-collision assist, adaptive cruise control, lane keeping system, driver alert and auto high beam control to not work as intended. The pre-collision assist system’s effectiveness to detect a frontal collision may be compromised, increasing the risk of an accident and injury.

Those receiving notices will be asked to return to their dealers to have a lane departure warning system camera alignment procedure done. Ford’s number for this recall is 20S26 and the NHTSA campaign number is 20V-306.

2019-2020 Toyota Rav4 and Rav4 Hybrid Suspension Cracks

Posted on by

Toyota will be contacting the owners of certain 2019-2020 Rav4 and Rav4 Hybrid vehicles because of a problem that could exists with the front lower suspension.

According to the defect report, the lower suspension arms connecting the front wheels to the vehicle front cross member may be defective due to improper production conditions at the steel supplier. If a vehicle with an affected suspension arm is repeatedly driven with rapid acceleration and deceleration, it is possible that cracks could propagate throughout the arm, causing it to eventually separate from the front wheel assembly. The problem could result in loss of vehicle control and an increased risk of a crash.

Owners receiving notices will be asked to return to their dealers to have both front lower suspension arms replaced. Toyota’s interim numbers for this recall are 20TB08 / 20TA08 and the NHTSA campaign number is 20V-286.